Terry Gross

Author Nuruddin Farah came from a long line of poets and storytellers; he was one of first to use Somalia's written language, which was developed in the 60s. Prior to that, he wrote in English. He's recently had several books published in the United States. Farah, who's currently in exile in Nigeria, will discuss Somalia's culture and history.

The debut writer's first book of short stories is "The Boy Without a Flag: Tales of The South Bronx." It's an autobiographical collection about the people in his neighborhood. He has said, "I write about the rancid underbelly of the American Dream." He's also in a punk rock band called Urgent Fury.

Wainwright is best known for his 1973 hit "Dead Skunk ." Considered by many to be a satirical and caustic folksinger, his latest album, History, is a highly personal album. He sings frankly about marriage, parenthood, and child abuse.

Military policy expert Carolyn Becraft joins Terry to discuss how women soldiers will participate in the U.S.'s humanitarian mission in Somalia.

New York Times reporter Edward Gargan is in India covering the erupting conflict between the Muslims and Hindu fundamentalists. Last Sunday a symbol of India's Muslim minority --a 16th century mosque--was destroyed by Hindu zealots. Gargan, along with other British and American journalists, was brutally beaten during the chaos..

Retired Major General Jeanne Holm was the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. She worked her way up the to become a major general and in 1976 was appointed Special Assistant for Women to the President. She also served on DACOWITS, the Defense Advisory committee on Women in the Services. Holm has written a book, "Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution." She says that though discrimination against women in the military still exists, it's impossible for America to engage in a war without women.

Associate Professor of Peace and World Security Studies Michael Klare at Hampshire College. He's also Defense Correspondent for "The Nation." Klare talks with Terry about the new role of the U.S. military in Somalia, requiring a balance of force and negotiation.

Associate Director for International Communications for the American Red Cross, Ann Stingle. She was in Mogadishu in May and also worked in several refugee camps, as well as crisis areas around the world with the Red Cross. She'll talk with Terry about what she saw and what it's like to reconcile your own life to the suffering you see.

Director of TransAfrica, Randall Robinson. His group works to influence American policy in Africa. He'll talk with Terry about his group's concerns about the American military going into Somalia to insure the delivery of food to the starving. He says there are areas of Somalia that are not as bad off as in the south and we should consider the country as a whole before going in.

The poet, essayist and fiction writer's new book is "Fidelity," a collection of stories about birth, life, death and nature in a small Kentucky town. He's worked as both a college professor and a farmer. Berry is concerned with the widespread development of undeveloped lands.